Decisions, Choices & Options (DCO) equips adolescents toward healthy life choices and academic success by exposing the risks of sexual activity and the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. We serve the teens and youth of our community through prevention education programs which promote healthy decision making by targeting the behaviors leading to poor choices, and less optimal educational, social and economic outcomes for ages 12-20. We partner with public and private schools, community organizations, and others serving this population with curriculum programs for middle school, high school and college students. DCO educators provide direct instruction to over 7,500 students each year free of charge to all schools participating. We also provide mentoring programs to high risk students who are in danger of not receiving a high school diploma due to poor choices or life circumstances. The overall goal of DCO is to enable, equip and empower teens to eliminate the risk of teenage pregnancy and the corresponding life outcomes through educational and mentoring programs. Since 2002, DCO has successfully accomplished this mission for thousands of students.

Leadership

CEO/Executive DirectorMrs. Joi S Wasill

Board ChairDr. Scott Huitink M

Board Chair Company AffiliationPhysician

History & Background

Year of Incorporation2009

Former Names

Moms Alive (A program of Moms Alive)

Decisions, Choices & Options, Inc.

Lifeline Children's Services

Organization's type of tax exempt status501-C3

Financial Summary

Graph: Expense Breakdown Graph - All Years

Projected Expenses$211,600.00

Projected Annual Revenue$237,180.00 (2017)

Statements

Mission

Decisions, Choices & Options (DCO) equips adolescents toward healthy life choices and academic success by exposing the risks of sexual activity and the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. We serve the teens and youth of our community through prevention education programs which promote healthy decision making by targeting the behaviors leading to poor choices, and less optimal educational, social and economic outcomes for ages 12-20. We partner with public and private schools, community organizations, and others serving this population with curriculum programs for middle school, high school and college students. DCO educators provide direct instruction to over 7,500 students each year free of charge to all schools participating. We also provide mentoring programs to high risk students who are in danger of not receiving a high school diploma due to poor choices or life circumstances. The overall goal of DCO is to enable, equip and empower teens to eliminate the risk of teenage pregnancy and the corresponding life outcomes through educational and mentoring programs. Since 2002, DCO has successfully accomplished this mission for thousands of students.

Background

DCO began serving schools with the educational program in 2002. The program began due to the experience of the Executive Director, who is a former high school teacher, and the unplanned crisis pregnancy of a friend's teen daughter. The 15 year old made the choice of adoption in her teen pregnancy and was met with measured criticism from peers, teachers and other adults based on their negative and out-dated stereotypes regarding adoption. The Executive Director approached a school principal and was given permission to begin an educational program on the options facing a pregnant teen. In 2009, DCO obtained its IRS 501(c)(3) status and became an incorporated tax exempt educational entity.

During the 2016-2017 academic year, DCO was presented to 9,500 high school students in 5 states. Teachers in both public and private high schools have fueled the growth of the program by making referrals to fellow educators about the value of the program. Through student comments on evaluation instruments, the value of the program is again proven. Students appreciate the factual, straight forward manner in which the material is presented without pressure, opinion or judgment. They comment on the need for themselves and their peers to know this information as most high school students have walked through a teen pregnancy with a friend.

DCO operates through the Health and Wellness, Teen Living and Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum areas and meets the state of Tennessee course level standards for the requirement that students will "discuss the alternatives of an unplanned pregnancy (e.g. adoption, single parenting, marriage, abortion)" and "discuss the consequences associated with teen pregnancy". The presentation consists of multi-media presentations, a TN District Attorney's office campaign entitled "What's the Rush? Don't be a Teen Parent" video, a segment of the MTV "16 & Pregnant" series, personal stories of adoption and medically/scientifically correct materials. The program is directed by a licensed secondary education teacher who reports to the board of directors of the agency. Staff who present in the classroom have been thoroughly trained and have personal and/or professional experience in the class room environment.

Impact

Decisions, Choices and Options (www.dcoinc.org) is a program designed for middle school, high school and college students that provides the information needed to make healthy choices to avoid unplanned pregnancy and provide the essential facts so that those facing this life crisis can make informed choices. The DCO program has been in operation in Tennessee since 2002. During the 2016-2017 academic year, DCO served 9,500 students through more than 50 high schools. In order to build a long-term support system for healthy decision making, DCO also implemented a peer mentoring program during 2012. With additional requests for our curriculum in schools and community centers, we anticipate serving 11,500 students during the 2017-2018 academic year. One goal of this program is to provide current, factual information and correct any misconceptions regarding any of the three pregnancy options. A second goal is to introduce the option of adoption as a viable choice (as per Title X of federal AFL funding guidelines) thereby reducing the number of teens choosing abortion and lower the number of children referred to social services and foster care due to abuse or neglect caused by poor and/or ill-prepared teen parenting. DCO corrects outdated and inaccurate information and language that projects adoption in a negative light. This program was featured on an internationally broadcast television show which devoted the entire half hour to Decisions, Choices and Options and interviewed the director and one of the birthmother presenters. The publicity generated by the television program increased interest outside of Tennessee in the DCO program. The Executive Director developed a curriculum for distribution to other states. Through these efforts, DCO is currently also implemented in Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina and Texas.

Needs

The most pressing need facing DCO is for financial support that would enable the program to expand to include all of the middle schools served by the current school systems and the schools of the seven county area surrounding Nashville. DCO has experienced rapid growth in the past 5 years due to the support and interest from the educational community. Teachers report that DCO is the only program of its kind and is vitally needed in both the middle and high schools of our area. All program services have been provided since 2002 at no cost to any community organization, school or school system. Funding is needed to hire additional educators so that more school populations can be served. There are trained professional educators waiting to be hired once funding is secured. Volunteers are also needed to assist in office/clerical duties and with serving in the teen mentoring program.

Other ways to donate, support, or volunteerWe welcome all opportunities to support our agency. Investments of time through volunteering with events or at our office, donation of professional expertise and funding is welcomed and appreciated. Office volunteering is also a way to earn community service points for students qualifying for TN scholar program. We also seek professionals who desire to serve as a member of our Board of Directors and on the various committees designed to steer, guide and oversee the programs of DCO.

DCO began by serving the middle Tennessee counties but currently have requests to expand in other counties as staff/budget allows. We have delivered services in Obion and Sullivan counties of Tennessee. This past year, DCO added Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Lawrence, Macon Montgomery and Trousdale county schools to our service area. We continue to have interest from other counties inside TN as well as outside of Tennessee in the states of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina and Texas.

Board Chair StatementThe challenges we face as a growing non profit dedicated to excellence is to meet the demands for service within the limitations of our budget. We need to have trained educators on staff to meet the increasing demand for this educational program. As a board, we are highly committed to the DCO program and the goal of providing the education to all of the schools in the area. We are financially committed to the success of DCO. Our board is also proud of the success and recognition of the program outside the borders of Tennessee. We strive to provide the program with opportunities to expand its mission and reach to these areas but focus the bulk of our time in making the program available to the teens and youth of Tennessee.

CEO StatementThe DCO program is unique in that it addresses the topic of unplanned teenage and youth pregnancy in a manner that brings factual and current information on all options to the target audience of teens and youth in an engaging and realistic presentation. While sexual risk avoidance is the foundation of the program, we deal with the decisions a teen must face if pregnancy does occur. The presentation is based on evidence from reliable, factual and respected sources and is impacting to the audience. The reality of the difficulty of these choices becomes evident. More importantly, the audience hears directly from speakers who have direct experience with unplanned pregnancies. The option of adoption is often misunderstood, outdated and filled with inaccurate portrayals often encouraged by television and movies that sensationalize adoption stories or present only the anomalies. Teen pop culture also glamorizes teens raising children alone ignoring the long term implications of fatherlessness on the children and our society. The face of adoption has changed dramatically including open adoption, semi open adoption and confidential adoption. Studies have indicated that when presented the facts of adoption and portrayed in a positive light, teens are more likely to choose adoption in an unplanned pregnancy. Recently, a teacher with over 30 years of experience in the classroom commented that the DCO program is very different in that it totally engages the students in the material. It isn't one of the "dry, boring, statistic after statistic presentation they are accustomed to hearing on this topic". She congratulated DCO on developing a program that really held the interest of her students and that will make an impact on the knowledge, values and behavior of teens.

DescriptionDecisions, Choices and Options (www.dcoinc.org) is a program designed for middle and high school students providing information about healthy life choices, skills to avoid risky behavior leading to difficult outcomes and the factual details of each option facing a young person in an unplanned pregnancy. The goal of this program is to inspire positive and healthy choices, provide current, factual information regarding sexually transmitted infections/diseases and correct any misconceptions regarding any of the three pregnancy options. Another goal is to introduce the option of adoption as a viable and positive option thereby reducing the number of teens choosing abortion and lower the number of children referred to foster care due to abuse / neglect at the hands of ill-prepared teen parents. We correct inaccurate and outdated language that projects the option of adoption in a negative light. Statistics show that given proper information on adoption, teens are 7 times more likely to choose adoption for their child. During the 2013-2014 academic year this presentation was made to 9,000+ students in seven Tennessee counties. We have had requests to expand this presentation beyond this area. Budget constraints have prevented further expansion.

Budget$108,478

CategoryEducation, General/Other Educational Programs

Population ServedK-12 (5-19 years), At-Risk Populations, Families

Short Term SuccessExpected Short-term Impact

Over 90% of survey data demonstrates that knowledge and understanding about each option in an unplanned pregnancy is dramatically improved.

Given accurate information on adoption, teens are 7 times more likely to make that choice in an unplanned pregnancy.

Encourage continued peer discussions regarding the long term effects of teen pregnancy in 70% of schools served. New curriculum has been developed as a part of this program for the teacher to continue the educational component after the two day presentation by guest speakers. This includes classroom activities to encourage retention of information.

80% of survey data confirms that the inaccurate portrayal of adoption is corrected.

Long term Success

Expected Long-term Impact

Improve the lives of young women and men and the future prospects of children by preventing teen pregnancy and parenting.

Bring awareness and understanding of the lifelong impact of teen parenting on the children, teens and our society.

Providing accurate information on adoption as a healthy and viable option.

Reduction in overall occurrence of abortion decisions.

Program Success Monitored By

Program Success Monitored

Surveys are conducted both prior to and immediately following the presentation on thirteen key points to measure effectiveness and retention of information. Data is analyzed by gender, age and area.

Opinion survey on overall program and effectiveness by attendees.

Educators are given the opportunity of rating the effectiveness of the program.

Educators are given information and access to program designer to answer questions and give additional feedback via email and phone as needed.

Examples of Program Success

Examples of Program Success

In 2004, a student heard the DCO presentation as a sophomore in high school and shared how it changed her mind about the option of adoption and the long term impact of single parenting and fatherlessness. As a senior in 2006, she experienced an unplanned pregnancy and when marriage was ruled out as an option, she remembered the information in the program. This young woman made an open adoption plan for her child. She contacted the executive director and relayed how the program enabled her to make this decision for her child and herself and became part of the presentation team for DCO. She graduated from both high school and college, has a successful marriage and career and shares her story of the impact DCO made in her life at special events and in classrooms ten years later!

The surveys from 2015-2016 reflect the following:

21% increase in favorability of adoption option;

12% increase in belief that abstinence from sexual activity during teen years is the healthiest choice; 3% reduction in view of abortion option; and an overall increase in the understanding that teenage pregnancy has a lifelong impact on all.

DCO seeks to expand the peer mentoring program that served students in the Robertson County public schools and the Preston Taylor YMCA. This council consists of students who have completed an extensive application, participated in an interview selection process and a training program conducted by the Executive Director of DCO. Once chosen, these students will serve as education liaisons, peer support and advocacy for factual information in the environment of the high school population. They will conduct announcements on the school address system, hold seminars where possible on the school grounds, and serve as the friendly, trained peer who can sit down with a pregnant teen and remind them of the facts presented in the DCO program. The Health/Wellness teacher of the school will serve as the advisory staff/counsel for this peer council.

DescriptionThis program was developed by DCO at the request of the high school teachers served by our organization to educate a younger audience of student. The teachers are on the front lines in the classroom and realize that students arrive in the high school classroom with little knowledge of how choices made can have severe impact on their future educational success. The 'Boundaries' program is designed to address the need to set appropriate and healthy boundaries around their social media exposure, build positive self esteem and prevent poor choices made due to lack of knowledge. Currently the program serves students in Sumner and Robertson County public schools and requests to expand this program will require a greater funding level.

DescriptionRequests from community leaders and physicians led DCO to research and write a program for college students based on medical and social science data regarding the hook up culture prevalent on most university and community college campuses. 'exposed' was launched in the Spring of 2014 at Auburn University, Samford University and Troy University with great reviews by both students and administrators. The goal is to reach the university students of Tennessee in the fall and spring of 2014-2015 with the program. Connections and collaborations have been made with campus officials and student leaders that will allow 'exposed' to launch immediately upon funding.

Budget$4000

Category

Population Served, ,

CEO CommentsThe staggering number of teen and unplanned pregnancies each year in the United States and the long term negative effects on our nation results in an economic and societal tragedy. Over 92% of all children parented by teen mothers are deprived of the necessary role and input of a father. This one fact is associated with high school drop out rates, poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, incarceration and a host of other issues that deprive children in our nation of a healthy and positive outcome. Educating teens about the options they face in an unplanned pregnancy is of vital importance in reducing these life altering choices.

The board of directors sees the DCO program poised for statewide growth and is working toward that reality. The board has planned numerous community outreach events which will educate parents, community leaders and interested potential partners to the effectiveness and impact of the DCO program

Executive Director/CEO

Executive DirectorMrs. Joi S Wasill

Term StartSept 2002

Emailjoi@dcoinc.org

Experience

Joi Wasill holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Mississippi, received secondary education licensure from Middle Tennessee State University and is a former "Who's Who in American Teachers" recipient, as well as Sumner County "Young Educator of the Year". Mrs. Wasill began teaching in the public schools of Tennessee in 1986 and founded the Decisions, Choices and Options program in 2002. She has been named "30 Most Influential People" in Sumner County, TN and received the Congressional honor of "Angel in Adoption" in 2012. She and her family are involved in their community and she loves watching her son play high school football. She has been married to Bill Wasill, a business owner in Davidson County, TN for 30 years.

Former CEOs

Name

Term

Mr. Herbie Newell

June 2013 - Aug

Staff

Full Time Staff5

Part Time Staff4

Volunteers20

Contractors0

Retention Rate90%

Plans & Policies

Does the organization have a documented Fundraising Plan?Yes

Does the organization have an approved Strategic Plan?Yes

Number of years Strategic Plan Considers2

When was Strategic Plan adopted?Apr 2016

In case of a change in leadership, is a Management Succession plan in place?Yes

Experience/BiographyBeth has been with DCO since 2010 and serves as the program director for the high school, middle school and mentoring programs in Tennessee. Beth holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky and previous experience in sales, marketing and business administration. She is passionate about the education of youth in our state and serves as a member of the Sumner County School board. Her family is active in the community and she has served on the United Way of Sumner County and various other community service organizations.

Experience/BiographyKatie graduated with a bachelor's degree of science in biology from Lipscomb University in 2014 and obtained her Masters Degree in Management from Lipscomb University in 2015. She was active in university life through athletics and student organizations. Currently, Katie is involved in youth mentoring programs in her community and loves reaching teens with sound educational programs aimed at successful life outcomes.

Experience/BiographyCandice is a former high school teacher at Station Camp High School in Sumner County, TN. She taught Family and Consumer Sciences and was an advocate for the DCO program as she personally watched the impact it made on her students each year. She joined the DCO team in June 2016 as a part time instructor and is looking forward to this new opportunity to reach and teach young people.

Experience/BiographyTerri has over 20 years experience in non profit organizations in both the greater Nashville area as well as Sumner county. She has prior experience with both United Way of Metropolitan Nashville and United Way of Sumner County, Salvation Army, and other local non profit organizations. She is responsible for all data collection of program materials, donor and funding sources, as well as general administration of the office.

CEO Comments

The DCO program has experienced tremendous growth in the past four years due to its successful evaluations and recommendations by educators in the school systems where the program operates. DCO is currently seeking funding to meet the demand for the program services. In the last school year, requests had to be denied due to lack of staff available to meet the demand. We are committed to providing these services free to all public and private school systems in our service area. However, without increased funding, either services will not be supported or the program may be required to implement charges for the school desiring services. We will do that as a last resort.

Organization CommentsThe decision to dissolve the merger with Lifeline Children's Services was made in August 2014 to enable both organizations to continue to serve their respective mission and target audiences effectively and with local control of the governance. DCO was re-established as a tax exempt 501c3 organization in October 2014 and the corporate charter filed with the Secretary of State office in August 2014. We do not yet have the 990 of Lifeline for the time period of the merger.

GivingMatters.com Financial Comments

DCO is a former program of Moms Alive; it filed its first independent 990 in 2010. In 2013, DCO merged with Lifeline Children's Services, Inc, and began operating under that organization’s tax-exempt status. This merger dissolved in 2014, and DCO is now once again an independent nonprofit.

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